The New Honda Passport Is Already Insanely Popular

Honda recently redesigned the Passport, which debuted for the 2026 model year. It follows the closely related three-row Pilot in ditching its blob-like exterior for a more squared-off, chiseled appearance. Already, it’s proven to be a winning formula for the Passport—the SUV is selling like hot cakes.

Through the end of September, Honda moved 41,450 Passports, marking an increase of 74.8 percent compared to September 2024, when the company sold 23,715 units through the first nine months. Aiding its success further is the fact that 80 percent of buyers are opting for the off-roady TrailSport guise.

Granted, the TrailSport is available in four of seven trim offerings. However, this reflects the Passport’s core mission and its target audience, which has responded overwhelmingly to the boxy bruiser. The Passport still loses popularity to its chief rival in the redesigned Toyota 4Runner by a significant margin, which had moved 67,001 units by September’s end. However, 4Runner sales are down 40 percent so far this year.

Although the two vehicles are similar in profile, the two SUVs are virtually the opposite in execution. Honda doesn’t embrace hybrids the way Toyota does, using a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 under the hood of every Passport. The 4Runner offers turbocharged four-cylinder power with the option of electrified propulsion in higher trims. Similarly, it uses chunky switchgear for the interior, while the Passport opts for a clean, more user-friendly cabin like in any other Honda.

Despite the boost in popularity, the Passport is not the most improved model when it comes to sales. That honor goes to the Prologue EV, which saw a nearly 158 percent jump in sales. With 36,553 moved, that’s more Prologues sold than the entire 2024 calendar year.

On the whole, Honda sold nearly 1.1 million units through the end of September. This accounts for both Honda and Acura, its luxury brand. Together, they posted a modest gain of 3.9 percent, or about 41,000 more vehicles that found homes so far, versus this time last year.